President Trump invites Philippines' Duterte to Washington, White House says

American President Donald Trump invited Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte to the White House during a phone call on Saturday that also addressed concerns over North Korea, the White House said in a statement.

The White House gave no details of when the leaders would meet in Washington to discuss their alliance, but said Trump looked forward to visiting the Philippines in November as part of two summits with other Asian nations.

More than 7,000 people have been killed, including about 2,000 in police operations, since a nationwide crackdown on drugs was instigated by Mr Duterte when he swept to power in June.

But after the kidnap and strangulation of Jee Ick-joo, a South Korean businessman last October, in the grounds of the police headquarters by rogue officers of the anti-drug squad, Mr Duterte said he was “embarrassed” and apologised. He accused the police of being “corrupt to the core”.